Morse Code
 

How many of you have memorized the Morse code? I'm just curious if it just kinda sticks in your head after years of flying. It would make it much easier and convenient to check nav ID's. I am going to try to learn it, but it seems like it's gonna be tough. Is it common for pilots to know it by heart?

14+ years and I still look at the plate. SOS is the only one(s) I have memorized.

Ditto on what Slice said.

Although I can't think of the last time I identified a navaid using morse... the glass cockpit in my aircraft will do it for me and display the ID after "listening".

Been using morse for a while in ham radio... IDing navaids is child's play...

A guy I know almost got unsat on an FAA ride because he didn't verify the morse with his plates after IDing. The guy had a military telecom background and knew it cold, but it apparently took a little convincing to get the check pilot to believe.

Yep, that happens! Almost busted my CFII ride because of that. Went back to the examiner's office and he quizzed me on some random identifiers after the flight, by tapping them out on his desk. Needless to say, he thought it was so neat that he picked up ham, and we chat every now and then via CW on the radio.

Sort of as a follow up question...in this day and age, when weather, morse codes and even flight service can be broadcast over the VOR frequency, why is a VOR still ID'd using morse code? Wouldn't it be much simpler to have it broadcast "XYZ VOR" as opposed to the code?
-MJ

I remember growin up when my dad was working towards a flying job. He did HAM radio as well. He actualy made me listen with him and asked if I could hear any letters. I remembered a lot of it. ._ (A) _. (N) .. (I) . (T) ._._(C) etc... Trying to tap out SOS TITANIC on my desk in 3rd Grade. maybe I have forgotten some of them.

I know that G is _ _ ., F is .. _ ., and K is _ . _ What do I win?

My CFI always gave me crap about just listening to the NAVAID ID. Didn't matter that I learned the code when I was 16, circa 19[mumble]. Honestly, though, I didn't know what it was he expected I do to identify the station. Point at each letter as it was transmitted? *Whatever*!

I worked hard to gain an ear for 20wpm and always love to hear the CW on the airwaves. My hat's off to those old Navy boys bugging along at 40+. Sadly, morse is no longer a requirement for *any* FCC amateur license.

In any case, cool way to bring someone into the ranks of ham radio!

Free trip to Grand Forks :cool:

20 wpm is no easy feat... good job! It's insane how some CW operators do 40+, I don't know how they do it. I'm good for about 20 on a good day.

Are you a ham operator?

Yup, I maintain my license as N4MRO (FCC makes it easy to keep that renewed). If I ever get to a point where I can build a nest, I'd like to put a shack back together. New cars being all computerized and electrically sensitive like they are, I'm a might concerned about installing anything mobile.

What would be really cool, if I wasn't pursuing a life of poverty, would be to operate aeronautical mobile, like K4NBN (SK), if you had ever heard of that character.

Other than that, I mainly keep up with things vicariously through my life-long friend, KB4PML (who has been keeping my Icom 706MKIIG safe and warm in his mobile operating platform - Ford Explorer - since I gave up the sedentary life several years back).

You?

My license is KI6ETY, my uncle (a retired avionics tech from AA) got me into HAM when I was a kid. He's the one who taught me how to pound brass. We worked almost every continent together. Finally found the time to get my Technician license not too long ago, getting the General license in a few weeks, and planning on the Extra class later in 2008. I've got a 706MKIIG as well in my Silverado. It's had the MARS/CAP mod done to it... what a nice little radio!! Back in the shack I have an IC7000 for now, but we're moving to Missouri soon, and I'm entertaining the idea of getting an Yaesu FT-2000 and installing a real tower in the back. Been a hardcore ICOM fan, and that's all I've ever used as a kid- but people say the 2000 is an amazing radio at a decent price. That would free up the IC7000 to install in the truck and put the 706 in the XYL's car.

Nice to see that we've got hams out there on APC! :)

Well, sir, sounds like a fine business setup you've got going and plan to have. Froogled for the price of the 706 nowadays and see it's still around a grand (or is it now *just* a grand?). Seems like I bought mine in '99 or so and rolled around with it in my Suburban for few years before I hit the road for the nomadic consultant life that left little time for such things. Ironically, I see that there is a hamfest in the area this weekend, so if I get time I might try to get over to it before the doors close. I do miss not having the aviation band available in my vehicle (other than the IC-24AT). Back when I had the radio, I enjoyed listening to the occasional aircraft passing by on the approach/departure frequencies but I didn't really know that much about what was going on as I had only just begun taking lessons as a "gentleman" pilot.

Anyway, I see you have chosen as your avatar is one of the finest pieces of machinery ever made. Never got around to procuring one myself, though a couple of friends of mine swear by theirs.

In any case, nice to make your acquaintance and, as it appears you are a frequent poster, I'm sure I'll see you around.